Health Department

Carol A. Chamberlain, Health Officer

April Health Programs: Please check out the programs the Lawrence Township Health Department is sponsoring in April. See flyer for more details.

Important Information About Lead in Your Drinking Water. For residents who are serviced by Trenton Water Works, please see the attached notice for tips in reducing lead in your drinking water.

Public Health Advisory:

Within the past week, a skunk was found on Drift Avenue and tested positive for rabies. Please read this full advisory message.

Public Notice Regarding Required Trenton Water Works Mailing due to Violation - December 2018! Lawrence residents who receive drinking water from Trenton Water Works will soon receive a required mailing regarding excess levels of TTHM (disinfectant byproducts that form when naturally occuring organic matter combines with disinfectants, such as chlorine, which is added to kill microorganisms). This is NOT an emergency situation and there is nothing for residents to do (meaning that residents do not need to boil water and do not need to take corrective actions). Rather, the mailing is required because the public has the right to know about the violations.For more details see the TWW notice.
The attached is a listing of certified testing labs by county.

Please Note:

The telephone number for the Registrar of Vital Statistics has changed. The new number is 609-844-7093.

Animal Cruelty Information:

The New Jersey Department of Health has provided information regarding animal cruelty prevention to ensure that all animal owners and caretakers have an understanding of prohibited acts that apply to all animals. Please click here for detailed information.

Mosquito Control

To reduce the risks from mosquitoes to local residents, Mercer County Mosquito Control Office practices what is known as Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) to suppress mosquito populations in the County; therefore, both larval and adult surveillance programs are the backbone of the County's operations. See information provided from Mercer County. The DEP also offers suggestions in the attached press release from Commissioner McCabe.

Annual Report

Each year the Health Department compiles data for the services and acitivities provided to the residents of Lawrence Township. This information is included on the Local Health Report. This report was reviewed by both the Lawrence Township Council and the Lawrence Township Health Advisory Board. Attached please find a summary of the activities and services provided by the Health Department in 2018.

Mercer County Community Health Assessment

The Greater Mercer Public Health Partnership (GMPHP) is a collaboration of hospitals, health departments, the Mercer County Department of Health and Human Services and other not-for-profit organizations whose mission is to measurably improve the health of residents of the Greater Mercer County community. As part of an effort to inform continous collaborations to improve the health of the community, the GMPHP has undertaken a community health assessment to examine health-related needs and strengths of the community. Attached, please find the Mercer County Community Health Assessment for 2018.

Health Department Recognized

The Lawrence Township Health Department has been recognized by the NJ Department of Health for commitment to protecting the health of the community. This recognition includes being a recipient of the 2017-2018 NJ Influenza Honor Roll.

Senior Health Programs

The Health Department provides monthly lectures and screenings for seniors at the Lawrence Township Senior Center on Darrah Lane.

Lanternfly Alert

The USDA has issued the attached Pest Alert for Lanternfly the latest invasive pest that threatens other plant life. If allowed to spread in the United States, this pest could seriously harm the country’s grape, orchard, and logging industries. What to look for and how to report sightings of the LanternFly are shown here.

Resources

Adult Health Clinic

609-844-7094

Screenings: On the first Wednesday of each month from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. the nurse conducts blood sugar and blood pressure screenings for township residents. In addition, periodic screenings are conducted for hearing, vision, and colorectal cancer.

Sexually Transmitted Disease: Free and confidential counseling, testing, and treatment are available at the Hamilton Township Health Department. Call 844-7093 for clinic hours.

HIV Counseling and Testing: Free and confidential counseling, testing, and treatment are available at Hamilton Township Health Department. Call 844-7093 for clinic hours.

Alcohol & Drug Alliance

The Lawrence Alcohol and Drug Alliance (LADA) is a non-profit municipal committee. The goal of LADA is to empower the community. Its membership is comprised of local leaders, municipal employees and the residents of Lawrence Township who want to be involved in preventing alcohol and drug related problems in the community. The meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. in the Lawrence Township Municipal Conference Meeting Room. For the full list of events and meetings during the year check 2019 calendar. The attached audio provides for further details about LADA.

For more information on addiction services, programs and resources please refer to the Mercer County Department of Human Services Resource Directory.

107.7 The Bronc’s Mental Fitness is underwritten by the Lawrence Drug and Alcohol Alliance (LADA). LADA is the official coordinating body for planning, awareness and prevention education efforts on alcohol, tobacco and drug abuse in Lawrence Township, NJ with funding provided by the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. Every Monday through Friday on 107.7 The Bronc, Mental Fitness will educate you on a number of topics relating to your mental health and well-being, such as substance abuse and addiction, anxiety and panic disorders, depression bi-polar and eating disorders and more.

Project Medicine Drop-Off - In partnership with local law enforcement agencies, the Division of Consumer Affairs has made it as easy as possible for you to safely and securely dispose of your unused medications. For more details, see the attached flyer.

Age to Purchase Tobacco

Effective November 1, 2017 the age to purchase smoking products in the state of New Jersey will be 21. For more details see the attached.

Animal Control / Rabies Clinic

609-844-7092

The Animal Control Officer responds to citizen complaints concerning domestic animals and wildlife, picks up stray animals and investigates animal bites and animal cruelty cases. A door-to-door dog and cat canvas is conducted annually by the Animal Control Officer. For an emergency after normal business hours, call 609-896-1111.

Free rabies clinics are scheduled twice a year to coincide with each of the licensing periods for dogs and cats. Advanced notice will be given prior to these events. The rabies vaccine is available for both dogs and cats. Cats must be in a carrier and dogs must be on a leash. Dog licenses must be obtained in January of each year and cat licenses are due every September.

Tips to Reduce Conflicts and Encounters with Bears

Even though overall bear sightings and encounters are declining again this year, New Jersey residents, particularly those living in "bear country'' in northwest New Jersey, are advised to take a few simple precautions to reduce the risk of potential encounters. For more details see the attached flyer. Additional information can be found on the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and also a podcast they have provided.

What You Need to Know about Coyotes and Foxes

Despite being one of the most successful urban mammals, many people are surprised to see a coyote or fox in their backyard – and that surprise often leads to panic. The good news is that there really is not much to worry about! For more details use the attached link.

Birds of Prey and the Backyard Food Chain

Birds of prey are magnificent birds. They are an important part of the ecosystems to which they belong and provide rodent control in urban ecosystems. As more wild animals are displaced by overdevelopment and human activities, it's important that we learn to peacefully coexist with them - and protect our pets at the same time. For more details see the attached flyer.

Facts about Deer

The Mercer County Wildlife Center has prepared a brochure with valuable information regarding deer, the impact they have on residents, how to protect your gardens and the best way to avoid them while driving.

Child Health Conferences

609-844-7094

Child Health Conferences are conducted each month. Infants, pre-school and school age children may attend the clinic. The clinic is staffed with a licensed pediatrician and qualified public health nurses. The services include a physical examination, growth measurements, lead screening, required immunizations, tuberculosis testing, hearing, vision and developmental assessments. This clinic is by appointment only.

Childhood Lead Poisoning Resources

Consumer Health Services

609-844-7088

Public Bathing Places: The health department monitors and inspects all public bathing places in the community to ensure safety and cleanliness.

Retail Food Establishments: The health department conducts routine inspections of retail food establishments to ensure compliance with State standards as listed in Chapter 24 of the State Health Code.. The inspector also responds to complaints and monitors recalled foods to ensure that only safe products reach the public. Retail food establishments are required to possess a food license and can use this link to access the application.

Temporary Food Licenses: The State requires all vendors including those interested in a temporary license to obtain a food license by completing an application and adhere to the attached guidelines.

Emergency Preparedness for Retail Food Establishments

The Lawrence Township Health Department has made available the attached guidelines from the New Jersey Department of Health for Retail Food Establisments to help develop an emergency action plan.

Food Safety Tips for Residents Affected with a Power Outage

The Lawrence Township Health Department would like to offer the following information to residents who may be affected by a power outage in order to determine if food in your refrigerator is safe to eat, please review the information on this FDA link.

Environmental Services

609-844-7089

The health department responds to complaints pertaining to air and water pollution and noise control. Citizen complaints pertaining to junk, rubbish, trash and debris are investigated as well as insect and rodent complaints. The health department staff witnesses soil logs, percolation tests and the installation of disposal fields where buildings are beyond the sewer lines.

Radon kits are available for sale at the health department for measuring the level of radon in your home. Free literature is available at the health department regarding radon testing and remediation.

The attached provides homeowners with details about septic systems including how they work, how they should be maintained and more helpful information.

Health Education

609-844-7089

Information and literature are provided to the public concerning personal health and public health programs. The health educator conducts classes and lectures concerning public health and communicates with the community through newspapers, radio, lectures and literature.

Public Health Nurse

609-844-7094

The public health nurse provides prenatal and postpartum home visits, if requested. The purpose of this is to discuss infant care, safety and health issues. Information is also provided to residents about the services available through the health department.

For information on how to safely dispose of a syringe, click here. You can use this link if you are looking for information on the proper way to discard unused medications.

Influenza Resources

The NJ State Department of Health provides resources and information about the Flu and how to prepare for and and best avoid the illness. See information provided from the NJ State Department of Health.

Zika Virus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a travel warning for pregnant women and women trying to get pregnant. For details, please visit the CDC website or contact your physician. Also see mosquito travel quidelines. For additional information on the zika virus, please call the Zika Prevention Hotline at 1-800-962-1253.

Welfare

609-989-4491

General assistance is a program under which financial and medical aid is provided by the Mercer County Board of Social Services to persons who are citizens of the United States or have eligible alien status and are currently ineligible for participation in any other public assistance program in new Jersey. This program is available to individuals between 18 - 65 years of age, without dependent children. The Mercer County Board of Social Services is located at 200 Woolverton Street, Trenton NJ.

WIC Program

609-890-3883

The County Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program is available for all pregnant and breast-feeding women, their families and children who meet the nutritional and financial guidelines. The WIC program is conducted at various sites throughout Mercer County. Appointments can be made by calling 609-989-3325. WIC medical recertification can be completed by calling the health department for an appointment.